(1) Cornerstone Christian VS. (2) Berlin Hiland
What: Division IV state semifinal
When: 10:45 a.m., March 22
Where: Schottenstein Center, 555 Borror Drive, Columbus
Records: Cornerstone Christian 20-7, Berlin Hiland 22-5
On deck: The winner advances to a D-IV state final on March 24 against the winner of Pandora-Gilboa and Maria Stein Marion Local.
For the record: Cornerstone Christian returns to the state level for the second time in three years. The Patriots pulled away late in their regional semifinal victory against Rittman, then handed No. 1-ranked Mansfield St. Peter’s its first loss of the season in their regional final win. D-IV player of the year Michael Botwhell and third-team All-Ohio forward Kendall Saunders lead a Cornerstone team that appears to be playing its best basketball at the most opportune time. Berlin Hiland advanced to the state final four with ease. The Hawks defeated Fairfield Christian Academy, 64-23, in a regional semifinal and claimed the Athens regional title with a 63-31 victory over Peebles. Guard Scott Troyer was a second team All-Ohio selection and averaged 13.9 points per game during the regular season. The Hawks shoot well from the perimeter and asserted dominance in their first five postseason games. Berlin Hiland’s 44-36 victory over Malvern in an East District semifinal was the Hawks’ only contest decided by a single-digit margin. Cornerstone’s game plan figures to follow what brought the Patriots success — staunch, full-court pressure that will create discomfort for their opponent. The 6-foot-5 Saunders and 6-foot-3 Bothwell also give Cornerstone a size advantage on the interior, where guards like Titus Wheeler and Jeremy Owens also attack the glass at both ends.
Barnes’ pick: Cornerstone Christian
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